55 governments, social organizations, and entrepreneurs have signed a new Coast Pact.

The aim of the pact is to protect the open, natural coast of the Netherlands from excessive construction and clutter, while still allowing space for recreation and economy. Deputy Esther Rommel signed the administrative agreements on behalf of the Province of North Holland.

In 2017, the current Coast Pact was signed. That pact will expire at the end of this year. As tourism and recreation in the coastal zone continue to grow, 55 parties involved with the coast have decided to continue their collaboration. The growth offers opportunities for coastal municipalities and entrepreneurs but also increases the pressure on nature, landscape, and living environment.

The new Coast Pact focuses on finding a good balance between tourism, recreation, and the beach economy, as well as preserving the core qualities of the coast and the quality of the living environment.

Deputy Esther Rommel: “I find it very important that many parties work together and make agreements about the development of the coastal zone. It is about balancing development and protection of the experiential values of the coast and nature, such as biodiversity.”

Developing and Protecting

The pact serves as a platform for early information exchange and consultation among the 55 involved parties. This way, governments, entrepreneurs, and nature organizations can maintain a joint overview of developments and work together on solutions that connect economic development and protection of nature and landscape.

Esther Rommel: “I believe we must be very critical of developments such as the construction of homes and recreational homes and the construction of roads and parking lots. This hardening causes soil compaction and hinders water drainage. This is bad for water management and detrimental to other natural processes such as the formation of dunes. Therefore, we must continue to hold each other accountable and ensure that our beautiful coast remains an attractive place: for people to recreate and stay, but also for nature so that there is enough space for blue and green.”

The pact will come into effect on January 1, 2026, and will run until 2030. The full Coast Pact 2026–2030 will be published online this fall.